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Monday, 24 July 2017

USA: CHINA INTERCEPTS US MILITARY PLANE OVER EAST CHINA SEA

Chinese fighters intercepted a US navy spy plane Sunday, according to US defence officials. Two J10 fighter jets buzzed a US navy EP3 surveilance aircraft in the East China Sea, Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Lt. Col.Christopher Logan told the Daily Caller New Foundation. The US aircraft was operating in international airspace at the time of the intercept, which the air crew deemed unsafe and unprofessional.

One of the Chinese aircraft passed in from of the American plane at a distance of less than 300 feet, forcig i to take evasive action to avoid a collision, US officials told Fox News Lucas Tomlinson. Despite China's actions US operations were able to contiue unimpeded. Chinese fighter jets have conducted several intercepts of US aircraft in recent months. A US navy P3 Orion surveilance aircraft was intercepted in international airspace 150 miles southeast of Hong Kong in May. During the intercept, one Chinese fighter passed in front of the plane, impacting its avility to maneuver, according to Reuters.

In another incident that same month, Chinese fighters harassed a US Air Force WC 135 Constant Phoenix in the East China Sea, with one Chinese fighter flying upside down over the top of the American plane, CNN reported. The number of Chinese intercepts have been on the rise since last year, as China moves to assert its dominace in its region.